EXPERIENCE COLORFUL PILSEN

Explore the bright murals, rich culture and festive spirit of this Chicago neighborhood.

Pilsen is known for its vibrant, youthful spirit. This
diverse neighborhood is a hub for the Mexican American community in Chicago,
and features offbeat vintage shops, quaint cafes and restaurants serving
authentic Mexican cuisine, not to mention a thriving art scene waiting to be
explored.

National Museum of
Mexican Art

Home to one of the country's largest Mexican art
collections, the National Museum of Mexican Art features more than 7,000
seminal pieces from ancient Mexico to the present. Groups will be immersed in
the rich culture and immaculate art pieces that span 3,000 years of creativity.
Many of the museum's pieces and exhibitions have traveled to other institutions
around the world, showcasing the quality of the collections. The museum is
always free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Chicago Arts District

A neighborhood establishment since 2002, the Chicago Arts
District (CAD) is a community for artists and gallerists to create and showcase
their work. The CAD encompasses a number of contiguous blocks of work spaces,
galleries, lofts, studios and exhibition spaces. On the second Friday of every
month, the 30-plus galleries open and invite the public to view new and exiting
exhibitions. The Pilsen East Artists' Open House takes place at the end of
September, allowing people to view the works of professional artists in their
studios and speak to them about their work.

Murals

Groups can take a walking tour of Pilsen's bold murals,
which can be found on buildings, railway overpasses, the front of homes and
wrapped around train platforms. Head to the Pink Line 18th Street station to
see Francisco Mendoza's and the Gallery 37 student untitled murals, many of
which symbolize and tell stories about the neighborhood. Or groups can make
their way over to Casa Aztlan (1831 S. Racine Ave.) to see an ongoing mural
project honoring the Aztecs and modern Latino figures.

Authentic, Delicious
Food

Pilsen's strong diversity contributes to its great dining
scene. The neighborhood is filled with independent coffee houses and eateries
serving up everything from contemporary American fare to authentic Mexican
dishes. No matter what time of day it
is, Fogata Village Restaurant
serves up true meals of Mexico, from chilaquiles con huevo for breakfast to
enchiladas with mole sauce at dinner (1820 S. Ashland Ave., 312-850-1702).

Enjoy a meal in the welcoming dining room at Nightwood (2119 S.
Halsted St., 312-526-3385). This farm-to-table restaurant creates incredible,
bold dishes. The hand-written menu changes every day and features ingredients
from local farmers' markets and shops. Another great spot is Dusek's, a beer-focused restaurant
offering delicious food and beer pairings in historic Thalia Hall (1227 W 18th
St., 312-526-3851). For something sweet, head to Kristoffer's Café & Bakery, where
groups can enjoy some of the best Tres Leches in the city (1733 S. Halsted St.,
312-829-4150).

Benito Juarez Park

2150 S. Laflin Ave., 773-534-7030

Take some time to wander through this large open park. Here,
groups will find fifteen statues of historical figures sprinkled throughout, including
ones of Emilio Zapata and Benito Juarez himself.